Communication Preparedness

Even though Communication Preparedness is one of the Ten Principles of Preparedness, it tends to be treated “like a red-headed step-child” sometimes. I’m even guilty of that on this site as I believe I’ve only written about the topic a handful of times out of 800+ articles; it’s so easy for me to get sucked into the other Principles that I get excited about such as a new recipe that turned out perfectly, Apple Bacon au Gratin (SOOO good!).
Today’s communication tips are primarily for times...

Communication Preparedness is the 10th Principle of Preparedness. I realize that I haven’t addressed this topic as extensively as I have the nine other principles, but the truth is, it’s not my forte. Mind you I’m cognitive of needing secret ways to communicate, special words of phrases for everyday safety, and I teach my husband Tagalog, and we’re trying to master the use of Morse Code, but I couldn’t even begin to use his shortwave radio if my life relied on it. In fact, I didn’t even know...

, The Preparedness Pro
Below are just a few of the actual comments that have cropped up on YouTube, my inbox, and in forums all over the world when the topic of National Geographic’s Doomsday Preppers comes up. “How dare they breach the code of prepper silence by going on television? How stupid can they be?”
“No REAL prepper would go on TV.”
“Thanks for telling me where to go when the &%$# hits the fan” (The most overused phrase in the world of prepping, IMO)
“The first rule of fight club...

One of the ways I stay on top of news that's relevant to me and my world is by creating my personalized Google Alerts profile. When you enroll with Google Alerts, you provide key words in which you’re interested. So any time that key word hits a news article, blog, or other aspect of the internet you will be notified. You specify the key words for which you’re looking, how often you want to be notified via e-mail of such, and from what sources do you want articles, notes, or blogs about the...

In the second season of one of my favorite television shows, "Jericho", there was a perfect illustration of what can happen if reliable communication does not exist (I recommend you renting this two-season series or at least catching some of it on hulu.com). While communication is the last aspect of the Principles of Preparedness, this doesn’t mean it’s insignificant in any way. In fact, there’s a lot of danger, panic, relying on misinformation and chaos that can arise, all from the lack of...

by Kellene
What elephant?
You worry and fret over your loved ones who have taken no efforts to properly be self-sufficient; whose preparedness efforts are nil. I have seen that kind of stress and even heartache far too often in preparedness. It almost feels like a 900 pound elephant in the middle of the room when one spouse is committed to preparedness but the other is adamantly against it. I have a couple of dear friends who actually “sneak” money out of their monthly budget to purchase...

by Kellene
The fact of the matter is, no law enforcement, government, or rescuer group can prepare a community. It all starts with you—the true first responders.
Just in the last 5 years alone, nearly a billion dollars has been spent throughout our nation upgrading and retrofitting buildings and structures so that previous disasters are not repeated. And yet not a single dime is being spent on preparing the people in order to avoid defeating responses to disasters.
Community affected
Case in...

Author’s Note: Most of this content was posted earlier this year. However, news as of late has caused us to tweak the story and repost it.
As I’ve shared with you previously, I’m not one who is keen on the phrase “Emergency Preparedness.” I believe in preparedness, pure and simple, and thus being self-reliant. Whether it be today or in the future as the result of some social breakdown, I feel that it’s important to understand what organized evil exists
out there so that you can make an...

Hello all who have a desire to be prepared. I decided to take the day off from writing so that I can play Mrs. Claus. Ted Blanchard has generously offered his two cents on preparedness as a community for you all. While it may be a lengthier read than articles past, I picked up a few "Oh yeah, I've got to remember that" nuggets.
Not everything he states is quite how I would address it, but I figure I'd better give you a brief break from the Voice of The Preparedness Pro. Even the voices you love...

Communication Breakdown by Spencer Wood
If there were an occasion in which our nation’s communications systems were disabled for more than 24 hours on a weekday, you would see the first domino fall in the creation of a complete financial collapse. We are painfully reliant on our communication systems to keep our nation financially afloat. Land lines, internet, cell phones. These inventions have become the heart of our economy. Our health care system. Our banking system. Our trade system....